UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Supporting ways in which staff can enhance their skills and network with colleagues, the University Staff Advisory Council (USAC) has announced its sponsorship of two keynote speakers providing professional development opportunities for staff across the University.
On Monday, May 2 from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m., Joseph Croskey — principal of Clarion Cooperative, West Point graduate, and professor at Clarion University — and Sarah Lehn — certified “Search Inside Yourself” teacher, life coach and mentor — will lead this session, titled “Search Inside Yourself.” Croskey and Lehn will focus on best practices to enhance communication, develop emotional intelligence skills and understand the components and importance of psychological safety. Anyone interested can register for this event online through Penn State’s Learning Resource Network.
On Tuesday, May 24 from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m., Lee Rubin — a Penn State alumnus and former captain of the Penn State football team, as well as an accomplished corporate human resources professional will deliver an address title “Five Characteristics of a Championship Culture.” Rubin will discusses how creating an inclusive culture, where everyone can bring their best selves to work each day, is critical for all organizations. Key areas of focus will include understanding the uniqueness of fellow team members and valuing their perspectives, the need for teams to make a long-term commitment to behaviors that contribute to a culture of inclusion, and how challenges should be embraced as opportunities to learn and grow. Staff members can register for “Five Characteristics of a Championship Culture” online through the Learning Resource Network.
After receiving positive feedback about the professional development sessions hosted by USAC last year during Wellness Days, the council chose to continue to provide growth and learning opportunities for staff. “The University Staff Advisory Council believes in the professional development of the staff at Penn State. We are grateful that we have the opportunity, through the support of the vice president of Human Resources, to offer these sessions to everyone and hope that people find them beneficial to not only their professional growth, but also their personal growth,” said Terra Ingram, USAC chair-elect and co-organizer of these events.
For those unable to join the scheduled session, the presentations will be recorded and available on the Penn State Learning Resource Network for later viewing.
Resources to Share Feedback
Staff members from across the University can always send questions and concerns via email to AskUSAC@psu.edu.
Staff are also invited to share feedback through USAC’s online comment form. The form is anonymous, and comments will be shared with USAC leadership and be used to guide the council’s work to represent all staff. USAC will additionally share comments with appropriate University departments in matters required by law.
About the University Staff Advisory Council
Formed in January 1995, the University Staff Advisory Council is the “voice for Penn State staff” and exists for the purpose of reviewing, advising, and providing suggestions on issues that impact or are impacted by staff. Matters addressed include policy and practice, continuous quality improvement, customer service, equity, inclusion, and diversity. The council acts in an advisory capacity to the University administration through the vice president for human resources and accepts new members annually.
USAC is comprised of a diverse group of thirty representatives from across the commonwealth who welcome multiple perspectives, celebrate, and appreciate our differences, and unite around common goals. To learn more about the council, visit the Penn State Human Resources USAC website and for additional information, follow us on USAC Facebook, Yammer, and LinkedIn.